It shouldn’t be surprising that a Patek Philippe holds the world auction record for a watch ($31.2 million for a Patek Grandmaster Chime, sold at Christie’s). Known for impeccable craftsmanship and some of the most complicated timepieces ever created, the brand is considered by many to be the height of fine watchmaking. Collectors simply love Patek Philippe watches.
The house was founded in Geneva in 1839 by Polish expats Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek. Czapek left the firm, and in 1845, Patek partnered with French watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Catering to the glitterati of Europe, the pair counted among their clients Tolstoy, Pope Pius IX and Queen Victoria, as well as Countess Koscowicz of Hungary, for whom they created the first Swiss-made wristwatch in 1868. They also had their eye on the American market and in 1851 entered an arrangement with Tiffany & Co. still in effect today.
During the Great Depression, brothers Jean and Charles Stern, who had previously supplied Patek Philippe with watch dials, bought the company, and it continues to be run by the Stern family today.
Under the Sterns, the house has developed some of its most famous models, including the Calatrava, an elegantly minimal dress watch introduced in 1932 and named for the Calatrava Cross (the company’s logo since 1887), and the Nautilus, the brand’s first sports watch, conceived by legendary designer Gérald Genta in 1976.
Despite the house’s longevity, it’s rumored that it has manufactured fewer than a million Patek watches, making each one all the more coveted. (The brand's pieces are understandably attractive to counterfeiters — make sure you know how to spot a fake Patek Philippe watch.)
Find authentic Patek Philippe watches, cufflinks, bracelets and more on 1stDibs today.
Vintage 1958 Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 2573
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional vintage 1958 Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 2573 is a timeless representation of the brand’s commitment to elegance and precision. The watch is housed in a classic 33...
18k Gold
1950's Patek Philippe Vintage Mens Ref. 2532 "Grande" Calatrava Watch - 18K Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
18k Gold
Lady's 18K Yellow Gold Patek Philippe "Calatrava" Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Lady's 18K Yellow Gold Patek Philippe "Calatrava" Ref.#4819/1J Wacth White Dial with Black Roman Numerals, Hobnail Pattern Bezel, 18K Yellow Gold Patek Philippe Meshh Bracelet. Swiss...
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1987 Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 3893/100
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
This elegant vintage 1987 Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 3893/100 embodies the timeless refinement and understated sophistication that define the Calatrava collection. The watch featu...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 96, 1940 – Stainless Steel * Ultra Rare* Mint
By Patek Philippe
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
100% Genuine & All Original Fully Inspected, Completely Original Example All in Totally Unrestored Tip-Top Condition Very High Grade P.P. Cal.12-120PS, 18 Jewel, Hand-Wound ...
Stainless Steel
H 0.4 in Dm 1.38 in
18 kt Gold Patek Philippe Million Dollar Associate Wrist Watch Ref 3565
Located in Antwerp, BE
GOLDEN PATEK PHILIPPE 'MILLION DOLLAR ASSOCIATE' with Patek Philippe Extract From The Archives Ref 3565 from 1969 MOVEMENT: automatic, 27-460M FUNCTIO...
18k Gold, Gold
Patek Philippe Tank Calatrava Ladies Watch - Yellow Gold 14k 3406
By Patek Philippe
Located in Greensboro, NC
Brand: Patek Philippe Model: Tank Calatrava Model Number: 3406 Warranty: 1 year Dial Color: Gold Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Fastening Type: Buckle Clasp Features: Hour Markers,...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Circa 1952 Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 2494 – Manual Wind
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
A refined example of mid-century watchmaking, this circa 1952 Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 2494 is housed in a 33MM 18KT yellow gold case distinguished by elegant teardrop lugs. The...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 5107J Calatrava 18K Yellow Gold Ivory Dial Mens Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This exquisite watch features an automatic self-winding movement. It is equipped with a rhodium-plated mechanism that includes fausses cotes decoration, a straight-line lever escapem...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava Arte Suizo Signed Watch in 18k yellow gold, 1970s
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Here's a vintage Patek Philippe Calatrava reference 3445 automatic in 18K yellow gold with a silver sunburst dial from the '70s. Keeps great time and is fully functional. It features...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe 1960s Yellow Gold Ref. 2595 Calatrava Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960 Patek Philippe Reference 2595 Calatrava Wrist Watch, 32 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case, Patek logo Crown. Mechanical, Manual wind 18 Jewel, Caliber 23-300 Movement. Sil...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref 2449 Yellow Gold Manual wind Vintage Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950-1955 Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 2449 Wrist Watch, 35 M.M. diameter x 9 M.M. thick 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case, 18 Jewel Caliber 12-120 PS Mechanical, manual wind...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava Vintage Ref 2545 Yellow Gold Mechanical Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950s Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 2545, 32 M.M. 18K yellow Gold 2 piece case with Water Proof Back, 18 Jewel, Caliber 12-400 Mechani...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 3322 Ladies Yellow Gold Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Patek Philippe Reference 3322 Wrist Watch. 16 x 20 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case with hand Texturing, 20 Jewel Mechanical, manual wind Nickle lever movement, Patek Ph...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref 7122/200G-001 White Gold Diamond Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2015 Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 7122/200G-001 Wrist Watch, 33 M.M. 18k White Gold 2 piece case with Glass Exhibition Back, Round Brilliant cut Diamond set bezel. Calib...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Cartier Vintage Yellow Gold Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960 Cartier Mid Size Wrist Watch, 30 M.M. X 6 M.M thick 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case, Cartier Inc. 17 jewel mechanical, Manual wind movement. Silver Satin Dial with raised Gold markers. New De Beer Black...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Launched in 1932, the model has become emblematic of quality craftsmanship and timeless design.
A true icon of the much-coveted category of World Time watches, this rare model represents an important milestone in the history of one of the brand's signature complications.
